Nigerian Cashew Nuts Suppliers: Complete Import Guide 2025
Nigeria exported $30.7 million worth of shelled cashew nuts in 2024, with major markets in Vietnam, Malaysia, and India. However, grade switching and moisture fraud cost importers millions while damaging processing operations and supplier relationships.
Why Nigerian Cashews Command Premium Prices
Nigeria’s cashew belt across the southern states produces exceptionally large, well-formed nuts with superior taste profiles and consistent quality. The country’s ideal climate conditions and traditional processing methods yield cashews that meet the highest international standards.
Nigeria’s Cashew Excellence:
- Export Value: $30.7 million (shelled cashews) in 2024
- Kernel Yield: 22-25% (among world’s highest)
- Major Markets: Vietnam (45%), Malaysia (25%), India (20%)
- Quality Grades: W180, W210, W240, W320, W450
Key Quality Advantages:
- Large kernel sizes (W180-W240) commanding premium prices
- Low moisture content ideal for processing and storage
- Minimal breakage due to careful traditional processing
- Superior taste profile preferred by Asian processors
However, the high-value cashew market attracts sophisticated fraudsters who mix grades, manipulate moisture content, and misrepresent kernel counts. Kiwi Procurement Limited’s specialized verification ensures you receive authentic Nigerian cashew nuts while avoiding costly quality fraud.
Nigerian Cashew Grades and Quality Standards
Premium Grades (W180-W240)
- W180: 180 kernels per pound (largest, highest value)
- W210: 210 kernels per pound (premium grade)
- W240: 240 kernels per pound (export standard)
- Best for: High-end snack markets, premium processing
Commercial Grades (W320-W450)
- W320: 320 kernels per pound (commercial standard)
- W450: 450 kernels per pound (smaller size)
- Moisture: Maximum 5% for all grades
- Best for: Food processing, confectionery industry
Broken Grades (LWP, SWP, BB)
- LWP: Large White Pieces
- SWP: Small White Pieces
- BB: Baby Bits
- Best for: Food manufacturing, paste production
Fraudulent suppliers frequently mix premium grades with lower grades or manipulate kernel counts to increase apparent value. Kiwi Procurement Limited’s precise grading verification and kernel count analysis ensures you receive exactly the grade specifications you’re paying for.
Major Producing States (And Fraud Hotspots)
Ogun State – Nigeria’s Cashew Hub
- 35% of national production
- Largest processing facilities and premium grades
- Fraud Risk: High – Many fake suppliers claim Ogun processing
Osun State
- 25% of production
- Excellent W180-W240 grades
- Fraud Risk: Medium – Growing export activity attracts scammers
Kwara State
- 20% of production
- Traditional processing methods, consistent quality
- Fraud Risk: High – Remote farms enable origin deception
Processing facility claims are easily fabricated with stolen equipment photos and fake capacity documents. Kiwi Procurement Limited’s processing specialists physically verify cashew facilities, equipment capacity, and actual grade production capabilities in these key states.
The $20 Million Cashew Fraud Problem
Common Grade Fraud Tactics
- Grade Mixing – Blend W180 with W240 to increase volume
- Moisture Addition – Add water to increase weight artificially
- Broken Piece Mixing – Mix whole kernels with pieces
- Processing Misrepresentation – Claim hand-processed when machine-processed
Real Fraud Case Examples
- Vietnamese Processor: Lost $110K to supplier who mixed 30% W320 with contracted W210 grade
- Malaysian Importer: Received 8 tons with 9% moisture instead of contracted 5%
- Indian Manufacturer: Lost $75K to fake Ogun processor operating from Lagos warehouse
The Processing Deception: Modern cashew fraud involves sophisticated grade mixing that appears acceptable during sampling but fails quality standards during large-scale processing operations.
Visual inspection cannot detect precise kernel counts or hidden moisture that affects processing yields and storage life. Only Kiwi Procurement Limited’s comprehensive grading analysis and facility verification can protect you from devastating processing failures and quality losses.
Export Documentation and Processing Standards
Required Export Documents
- Phytosanitary certificate (NAQS)
- Export permit from Federal Ministry of Agriculture
- Certificate of Origin (NACCIMA)
- Grade analysis certificate
- Processing facility registration
Critical Red Flags
- ❌ Inconsistent Grading – Cannot provide precise kernel counts
- ❌ No Processing Records – Cannot show processing methods
- ❌ Unclear Moisture Testing – Cannot provide moisture analysis
- ❌ Vague Farm Sources – Cannot specify exact collection areas
- ❌ No Quality Sorting – Cannot demonstrate grade separation methods
Grade certificates are frequently falsified with incorrect kernel counts and moisture readings to hide inferior processing. Kiwi Procurement Limited conducts independent grade analysis and verifies all processing documentation with Nigerian authorities to ensure authenticity.
International Quality Standards and Processing Requirements
Key Quality Parameters
- Kernel Count: Accurate count per pound for each grade
- Moisture Content: Maximum 5% for export quality
- Defective Kernels: Maximum 5% (scorched, discolored, spotted)
- Foreign Matter: Maximum 1%
Destination Requirements
- Vietnam: Strict aflatoxin limits, detailed grading specifications
- Malaysia: Halal certification, moisture control requirements
- India: Traditional processing preferences, specific size requirements
- Europe/USA: Organic certification options, traceability requirements
Processing requirements vary significantly by destination market, and inadequate processing can cause rejection at destination ports. Kiwi Procurement Limited ensures all processing standards meet destination requirements and verifies authentic processing capabilities before shipment.
Why Professional Verification is Essential
What Standard Sampling Misses
- Systematic grade mixing throughout large shipments
- Moisture variations between different batches
- Processing quality inconsistencies affecting final yields
- Storage condition impacts on kernel quality
Kiwi Procurement Limited’s Verification Process
- ✅ Processing facility inspection including equipment and capacity verification
- ✅ Grade analysis testing for precise kernel counts and moisture
- ✅ Supply chain verification from farm collection to processing
- ✅ Quality sorting validation of grading and separation methods
- ✅ Storage condition assessment for quality preservation
The cost of receiving inferior cashew grades far exceeds verification investment, especially for processing operations requiring specific kernel sizes. Kiwi Procurement Limited’s current offer: Pay $300 (40% off $500) and receive 3 additional verification vouchers with 20% off each future service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I verify Nigerian cashew nut grades before importing?
A: Nigerian cashew grading requires precise kernel count analysis and moisture testing that most importers cannot perform independently. At Kiwi Procurement Limited, we conduct professional grade verification at processing facilities with independent testing to confirm exact specifications.
Q: What’s the difference between W180 and W240 Nigerian cashews?
A: W180 contains 180 kernels per pound (larger, premium grade) while W240 contains 240 kernels per pound (smaller, commercial grade). W180 commands significantly higher prices. We verify actual kernel counts to ensure you receive the correct grade.
Q: How do I avoid moisture-damaged cashews from Nigeria?
A: Moisture damage occurs during poor processing or deliberate water addition to increase weight. Our verification includes processing facility inspection and independent moisture testing to ensure nuts meet your specifications and storage requirements.
Q: Which Nigerian states produce the highest quality cashews?
A: Ogun State produces 35% of Nigeria’s cashews with the largest processing facilities. Osun and Kwara states also produce excellent quality. Our specialists verify actual processing locations and quality capabilities in these regions to ensure authentic procurement.
Q: What documents are needed to import cashews from Nigeria?
A: Essential documents include phytosanitary certificate, export permit, certificate of origin, and grade analysis certificate. We verify all documentation authenticity with Nigerian authorities and ensure compliance with destination country requirements.
⚠️ Don’t Risk Your Processing Operations on Unverified Cashews
Limited Time Offer: $300 (40% Off Regular $500 Price)
PLUS: Get 3 Verification Vouchers (20% Off Future Services)
Limited Time Offer
- ✅ Complete supplier verification for just $300 (save $200)
- ✅ 3 bonus vouchers for 20% off future verifications
- ✅ Grade analysis testing for kernel count and moisture verification
- ✅ Processing facility and equipment capacity inspection
- ✅ 3-5 day report delivery with expert recommendations
- ✅ Professional supplier intelligence reports
Limited availability
Contact us immediately: info@procurewithkiwi.com | We respond within 2 hours
Remember: The cost of verification is always less than the cost of inferior cashew grades. Protect your processing operations and supplier relationships today.